Printed Page 210 Chapter Chronology

Ratification of the Constitution

The process of ratifying the Constitution was highly contentious. In the three most populous states — Virginia, Massachusetts, and New York — substantial majorities opposed a powerful new national government. North Carolina and Rhode Island refused to call ratifying conventions. Seven of the eight remaining states were easy victories for the Constitution, but securing the approval of the ninth proved difficult. Pro-Constitution forces, called Federalists, had to strategize very shrewdly to defeat anti-Constitution forces, called Antifederalists.